This work was supported by the German Research Foundation and the ERC (AN377/3-2 and 309528 CHROMDECON to W.A.) and a PhD Fellowship of the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds to A.K.S. Figure 1 &#38; 2 are reprinted from Developmental Cell 31(3), Magalska et al., RuvB-like ATPases function in chromatin decondensation at the end of mitosis, 305-318, 2014, with kind permission from Elsevier.

<ol>
	<li>Lohka, M. J., Masui, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formation+in+vitro+of+sperm+pronuclei+and+mitotic+chromosomes+induced+by+amphibian+ooplasmic+components.">Formation in vitro of sperm pronuclei and mitotic chromosomes induced by amphibian ooplasmic components.</a> Science. 220, 719-721 (1983).</li><li>de la Barre, A. E., Robert-Nicoud, M., Dimitrov, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assembly+of+mitotic+chromosomes+in+Xenopus+egg+extract.">Assembly of mitotic chromosomes in Xenopus egg extract.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 119, 219-229 (1999).</li><li>Maresca, T. J., Heald, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+for+studying+spindle+assembly+and+chromosome+condensation+in+Xenopus+egg+extracts.">Methods for studying spindle assembly and chromosome condensation in Xenopus egg extracts.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 322, 459-474 (2006).</li><li>Galy, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+role+for+gp210+in+mitotic+nuclear-envelope+breakdown.">A role for gp210 in mitotic nuclear-envelope breakdown.</a> J Cell Sci. 121, 317-328 (2008).</li><li>Chan, R. C., Forbes, D. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+study+of+nuclear+assembly+and+nuclear+import+using+Xenopus+egg+extracts.">In vitro study of nuclear assembly and nuclear import using Xenopus egg extracts.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 322, 289-300 (2006).</li><li>Gillespie, P. J., Gambus, A., Blow, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+and+use+of+Xenopus+egg+extracts+to+study+DNA+replication+and+chromatin+associated+proteins.">Preparation and use of Xenopus egg extracts to study DNA replication and chromatin associated proteins.</a> Methods. 57, 203-213 (2012).</li><li>Gant, T. M., Wilson, K. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nuclear+assembly.">Nuclear assembly.</a> Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 13, 669-695 (1997).</li><li>Magalska, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RuvB-like+ATPases+function+in+chromatin+decondensation+at+the+end+of+mitosis.">RuvB-like ATPases function in chromatin decondensation at the end of mitosis.</a> Developmental Cell. 31, 305-318 (2014).</li><li>Belmont, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitotic+chromosome+structure+and+condensation.">Mitotic chromosome structure and condensation.</a> Curr Opin Cell Biol. 18, 632-638 (2006).</li><li>Lavoie, B. D., Tuffo, K. M., Oh, S., Koshland, D., Holm, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitotic+chromosome+condensation+requires+Brn1p,+the+yeast+homologue+of+Barren.">Mitotic chromosome condensation requires Brn1p, the yeast homologue of Barren.</a> Mol Biol Cell. 11, 1293-1304 (2000).</li><li>Philpott, A., Leno, G. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nucleoplasmin+remodels+sperm+chromatin+in+Xenopus+egg+extracts.">Nucleoplasmin remodels sperm chromatin in Xenopus egg extracts.</a> Cell. 69, 759-767 (1992).</li><li>Philpott, A., Leno, G. H., Laskey, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sperm+decondensation+in+Xenopus+egg+cytoplasm+is+mediated+by+nucleoplasmin.">Sperm decondensation in Xenopus egg cytoplasm is mediated by nucleoplasmin.</a> Cell. 65, 569-578 (1991).</li><li>Burglin, T. R., Mattaj, I. W., Newmeyer, D. D., Zeller, R., De Robertis, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning+of+nucleoplasmin+from+Xenopus+laevis+oocytes+and+analysis+of+its+developmental+expression.">Cloning of nucleoplasmin from Xenopus laevis oocytes and analysis of its developmental expression.</a> Genes Dev. 1, 97-107 (1987).</li><li>Whitaker, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Calcium+at+fertilization+and+in+early+development.">Calcium at fertilization and in early development.</a> Physiological reviews. 86, 25-88 (2006).</li><li>Gasser, S. M., Laemmli, U. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improved+methods+for+the+isolation+of+individual+and+clustered+mitotic+chromosomes.">Improved methods for the isolation of individual and clustered mitotic chromosomes.</a> Exp Cell Res. 173, 85-98 (1987).</li><li>Eisenhardt, N., Schooley, A., Antonin, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Xenopus+in+vitro+assays+to+analyze+the+function+of+transmembrane+nucleoporins+and+targeting+of+inner+nuclear+membrane+proteins.">Xenopus in vitro assays to analyze the function of transmembrane nucleoporins and targeting of inner nuclear membrane proteins.</a> Methods Cell Biol. 122, 193-218 (2014).</li><li>Wignall, S. M., Deehan, R., Maresca, T. J., Heald, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+condensin+complex+is+required+for+proper+spindle+assembly+and+chromosome+segregation+in+Xenopus+egg+extracts.">The condensin complex is required for proper spindle assembly and chromosome segregation in Xenopus egg extracts.</a> J Cell Biol. 161, 1041-1051 (2003).</li><li>Forbes, D. J., Kirschner, M. W., Newport, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spontaneous+formation+of+nucleus-like+structures+around+bacteriophage+DNA+microinjected+into+Xenopus+eggs.">Spontaneous formation of nucleus-like structures around bacteriophage DNA microinjected into Xenopus eggs.</a> Cell. 34, 13-23 (1983).</li><li>Hartl, P., Olson, E., Dang, T., Forbes, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nuclear+assembly+with+lambda+DNA+in+fractionated+Xenopus+egg+extracts:+an+unexpected+role+for+glycogen+in+formation+of+a+higher+order+chromatin+intermediate.">Nuclear assembly with lambda DNA in fractionated Xenopus egg extracts: an unexpected role for glycogen in formation of a higher order chromatin intermediate.</a> J Cell Biol. 124, 235-248 (1994).</li><li>Sandaltzopoulos, R., Blank, T., Becker, P. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transcriptional+repression+by+nucleosomes+but+not+H1+in+reconstituted+preblastoderm+Drosophila+chromatin.">Transcriptional repression by nucleosomes but not H1 in reconstituted preblastoderm Drosophila chromatin.</a> EMBO J. 13, 373-379 (1994).</li><li>Ulbert, S., Platani, M., Boue, S., Mattaj, I. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+membrane+protein-DNA+interactions+required+early+in+nuclear+envelope+assembly.">Direct membrane protein-DNA interactions required early in nuclear envelope assembly.</a> J Cell Biol. 173, 469-476 (2006).</li><li>Zhang, C., Clarke, P. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chromatin-independent+nuclear+envelope+assembly+induced+by+Ran+GTPase+in+Xenopus+egg+extracts.">Chromatin-independent nuclear envelope assembly induced by Ran GTPase in Xenopus egg extracts.</a> Science. 288, 1429-1432 (2000).</li><li>Paulson, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+chromosome+clusters+from+metaphase-arrested+HeLa+cells.">Isolation of chromosome clusters from metaphase-arrested HeLa cells.</a> Chromosoma. 85, 571-581 (1982).</li><li>Ramadan, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cdc48/p97+promotes+reformation+of+the+nucleus+by+extracting+the+kinase+Aurora+B+from+chromatin.">Cdc48/p97 promotes reformation of the nucleus by extracting the kinase Aurora B from chromatin.</a> Nature. 450, 1258-1262 (2007).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Xenopus laevis egg extracts are a very useful tool to faithfully reproduce cellular processes in vitro, and this system was successfully used in the characterization of cell cycle and cell division events 2,3,5,6,17. Due to large stores of nuclear components sequestered in the egg during oogenesis, egg extracts are an excellent source of cellular components. Compared to other approaches like RNAi on mammalian tissue cell lines or genetic manipulation, it offers several advantages: ...

Xenopus laevis egg extract is a powerful and widely applied tool to study complicated cellular events in the simplicity of a cell-free assay. Since their first description by Lohka &#38; Masui 1 they have been extensively used to study mitotic processes such as chromatin condensation 2, spindle assembly 3, nuclear envelope breakdown 4, but also nucleocytoplasmic transport 5 or DNA replication 6. The events taking place at the end of mitosis, necessary for reformation of the interphasic nucleus such as nuclear envelope reformation and nuclear pore complex reassembly are much less understood compared to the early mitotic events but can be similarly studied using Xenopus egg extract 7. We have recently established an assay based on Xenopus egg extract to study chromatin decondensation at the end of mitosis 8, an under-investigated process that awaits its detailed characterization.
In metazoans, chromatin is highly condensed at mitotic entry in order to perform faithfully segregation of the genetic material. To ensure that the chromatin is accessible for gene expression and DNA replication during interphase, it needs to be de-compacted at the end of mitosis. In vertebrates, chromatin is up to fifty-fold more compacted during mitosis compared to interphase 9, in contrast to yeasts where the mitotic compaction is usually much lower, e.g., only two-fold in S. cerevisiae 10. Vertebrate chromatin decondensation has been mostly studied in the context of sperm DNA reorganization after egg fertilization. A molecular mechanism, in which nucleoplasmin, an abundant oocyte protein, exchanges sperm-specific protamines to histones H2A and H2B stored in the egg. This process was also elucidated using Xenopus egg extract 11,12. However, the expression of nucleoplasmin is limited to oocytes 13 and mitotic chromatin does not contain these sperm-specific protamines. Therefore chromatin decondensation at the end of mitosis is nucleoplasmin independent 8.
For the in vitro decondensation reaction we employ extract generated from activated X.laevis eggs and chromatin clusters isolated from synchronized HeLa cells. Treatment of eggs with a calcium ionophore mimics the calcium release into the oocyte generated by sperm entry during fertilization. The calcium wave triggers the cell cycle resumption and the egg, arrested in the second metaphase of meiosis, progresses to the first interphase 14. Therefore, egg extracts prepared form activated eggs represent the mitotic exit/interphase state and are competent to induce events specific for mitotic exit like chromatin decondensation, nuclear envelope and pore complex reformation. For the isolation of mitotic chromatin clusters we used a slightly modified version of the protocol published by Gasser &#38; Laemmli 15, where chromosome clusters are released by lysis from HeLa cells synchronized in mitosis and isolated in polyamine containing buffers by gradient centrifugations.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>spermine tetrahydrochloride</td>
			<td>Fluka analytical</td>
			<td>85610-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>spermidine trihydrochloride</td>
			<td>Sigma&#160;</td>
			<td>S2501-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>high-purity digitonin</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>300410-1GM</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PMSF</td>
			<td>Applichem</td>
			<td>A0999,0100</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>thymidine</td>
			<td>Calbiochem</td>
			<td>6060</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nocodazole</td>
			<td>Calbiochem</td>
			<td>487928</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>37 % formaldehyde solution</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>7398-1</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>trypan blue solution (0.4%)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T8154</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT)</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>6908.2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AEBSF hydrochloride</td>
			<td>Applichem</td>
			<td>A1421,0001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pepstatin</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>2936.1/2/3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>leupeptin</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>CN334</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>aprotinin</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>A162.3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Percoll (colloidal silica particles solution)</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>17-0891-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>glutamine</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>25030-024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>75 cm&#178; tissue culture flasks</td>
			<td>Greiner Bio-one</td>
			<td>658175</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10500-064</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Homogenizer (40 mL tissue grinder)</td>
			<td>Wheaton</td>
			<td>357546</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neubauer chamber</td>
			<td>Assistent</td>
			<td>441/1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#160;Oak Ridge Centrifuge Tubes, polycarbonate (50 ml)</td>
			<td>Nalgene</td>
			<td>3118-0050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100 &#181;m cell strainer, nylon</td>
			<td>BD Falcon</td>
			<td>352360</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>cytochalasin B</td>
			<td>Applichem</td>
			<td>A7657,0010</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>cycloheximide</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>8682.3</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-cystein</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>1,028,381,000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>hCG available as Ovogest</td>
			<td>MSD</td>
			<td>1431593</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PMSG available as Intergonan</td>
			<td>MSD</td>
			<td>1431015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>A23187 (mixed calcium-magnesium-salt)</td>
			<td>Enzo</td>
			<td>ALX-450-002-M010</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>syringe needles (1.20 x 40 mm, 18 G x 1 1/2&#34;)</td>
			<td>Braun</td>
			<td>4665120</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ATP</td>
			<td>Serva</td>
			<td>10920.03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GTP, 2 Na x 3 H20</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>K056.1/2/3/4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>creatine phosphat disodium salt</td>
			<td>Calbiochem</td>
			<td>2380</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>creatine phosphokinase</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C3755-35KU</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMAP</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D2629-1G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPI&#160;</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>10236276001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PFA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P-6148</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>centrifugation tubes for TLA 100 (7 x 10 mm, 5/16 x 13/16 in.)</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>343775</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#34;Cell-Saver&#34; (tips with wide opening, 1000 &#181;L)</td>
			<td>Biozym</td>
			<td>729065</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 % glutaraldehyde solution, grade I</td>
			<td>Sigma alderich</td>
			<td>G7651-10 mL</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.1 % (w/v) poly-L-lysine solution</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P8920-100 mL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>flat-bottom tubes (6 mL, 16.0/55 mm)</td>
			<td>Greiner Bio-one</td>
			<td>145211</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vectashield mounting medium</td>
			<td>Vector laboratories</td>
			<td>H1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tubes for TLA120 (11 x 34 mm, 7/16 x 1 3/8 in.)</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>343778</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#34;Cell-Saver&#34; (tips with wide opening, 200 &#181;L)</td>
			<td>Biozym</td>
			<td>729055</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>12 mm coverslips</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>0784 #1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a cell free assay to study chromatin decondensation at the end of mitosis

During the vertebrate cell cycle chromatin undergoes extensive structural and functional changes. Upon mitotic entry, it massively condenses into rod shaped chromosomes which are moved individually by the mitotic spindle apparatus. Mitotic chromatin condensation yields chromosomes compacted fifty-fold denser as in interphase. During exit from mitosis, chromosomes have to re-establish their functional interphase state, which is enclosed by a nuclear envelope and is competent for replication and transcription. The decondensation process is morphologically well described, but in molecular terms poorly understood: We lack knowledge about the underlying molecular events and to a large extent the factors involved as well as their regulation. We describe here a cell-free system that faithfully recapitulates chromatin decondensation in vitro, based on mitotic chromatin clusters purified from synchronized HeLa cells and X. laevis egg extract. Our cell-free system provides an important tool for further molecular characterization of chromatin decondensation and its co-ordination with processes simultaneously occurring during mitotic exit such as nuclear envelope and pore complex re-assembly.

Time dependence of the decondensation reaction
Figure 1 shows a typical time course of the decondensation assay. The cluster of chromosomes visible at the beginning of the reaction decondenses and merges into a single, round and smooth nucleus. When the egg extract is replaced by sucrose buffer the chromosome cluster remains condensed, which suggest that decondensation activity is present in the egg extract.
Chromatin decondensation is an energy dep...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis at JoVE.com

A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis

The molecular mechanisms of the decondensation of highly compacted mitotic chromatin are ill-defined. We present a cell-free assay based on mitotic chromatin clusters isolated from HeLa cells and Xenopus laevis egg extract that faithfully reconstitutes the decondensation process in vitro.

During the vertebrate cell cycle chromatin undergoes extensive structural and functional changes. Upon mitotic entry, it massively condenses into rod ...

a-cell-free-assay-to-study-chromatin-decondensation-at-end

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

10.2K Views.  Max Planck Society. The molecular mechanisms of the decondensation of highly compacted mitotic chromatin are ill-defined. We present a cell-free assay based on mitotic chromatin clusters isolated from HeLa cells and Xenopus laevis egg extract that faithfully reconstitutes the decondensation process in vitro.

Video: A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of the visual system provide more empirical evidence for functional applications. Investigation into the sensory system provides information about the sensory capacity, learning and memory ability, and establishes known baseline behaviour in which to gauge deviations (Burghardt, 1977). However, unlike mammalian or avian systems, testing for learning and memory in a reptile species is difficult. Furthermore, using an operant paradigm as a psychophysical measure of sensory ability is likewise as difficult. Historically, reptilian species have responded poorly to conditioning trials because of issues related to motivation, physiology, metabolism, and basic biological characteristics. Here, I demonstrate an operant paradigm used a novel model lizard species, the Jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) and describe how to test peripheral sensitivity to salient speed and motion characteristics. This method uses an innovative approach to assessing learning and sensory capacity in lizards. I employ the use of random-dot kinematograms (RDKs) to measure sensitivity to speed, and manipulate the level of signal strength by changing the proportion of dots moving in a coherent direction. RDKs do not represent a biologically meaningful stimulus, engages the visual system, and is a classic psychophysical tool used to measure sensitivity in humans and other animals. Here, RDKs are displayed to lizards using three video playback systems. Lizards are to select the direction (left or right) in which they perceive dots to be moving. Selection of the appropriate direction is reinforced by biologically important prey stimuli, simulated by computer-animated invertebrates.

Testing visual sensitivity in lizards using an operant conditioning paradigm that employs video playback of random-dot kinematograms and computer-generated invertebrates.

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of ...

A Chromatin Assay for Human Brain Tissue

Chronic neuropsychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disease and autism are thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors that might result in epigenetic alterations of gene expression and other molecular pathology. Traditionally, however, expression studies in postmortem brain were confined to quantification of mRNA or protein. The limitations encountered in postmortem brain research   such as variabilities in autolysis time and tissue integrities   are also likely to impact any studies of higher order chromatin structures. However, the nucleosomal organization of genomic DNA   including DNA:core histone binding - appears to be largely preserved in representative samples provided by various brain banks. Therefore, it is possible to study the methylation pattern and other covalent modifications of the core histones at defined genomic loci in postmortem brain. Here, we present a simplified native chromatin immunoprecipitation (NChIP) protocol for frozen (never-fixed) human brain specimens. Starting with micrococcal nuclease digestion of brain homogenates, NChIP followed by qPCR can be completed within three days. The methodology presented here should be useful to elucidate epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression in normal and diseased human brain.

Until recently, expression studies on human brain were limited to quantification of RNA or protein. With the chromatin immunoprecipitation techniques described in this paper, it will be possible to map histone methylation and other epigenetic regulators of gene expression in postmortem brain.

Chronic neuropsychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disease and autism are thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental ...

Operant Learning of Drosophila at the Torque Meter

For experiments at the torque meter, flies are kept on standard fly medium at 25&deg;C and 60% humidity with a 12hr light/12hr dark regime. A standardized breeding regime assures proper larval density and age-matched cohorts. Cold-anesthetized flies are glued with head and thorax to a triangle-shaped hook the day before the experiment. Attached to the torque meter via a clamp, the fly's intended flight maneuvers are measured as the angular momentum around its vertical body axis. The fly is placed in the center of a cylindrical panorama to accomplish stationary flight. An analog to digital converter card feeds the yaw torque signal into a computer which stores the trace for later analysis. The computer also controls a variety of stimuli which can be brought under the fly's control by closing the feedback loop between these stimuli and the yaw torque trace. Punishment is achieved by applying heat from an adjustable infrared laser.

Measuring the yaw torque of tethered Drosophila with the torque meter allows the neuroscientist exquisite control of the stimulus situation of the experimental animal. Together with the unique genetic tools available in the fruit fly, this paradigm is used for a wide variety of neurobiological research.

For experiments at the torque meter, flies are kept on standard fly medium at 25&deg;C and 60% humidity with a 12hr light/12hr dark regime. A standardized ...

A Cell-to-cell Macromolecular Transport Assay in Planta Utilizing Biolistic Bombardment

Here, we present a simple and rapid protocol to detect and assess the extent of cell-to-cell macromolecular transport in planta. In this protocol, a fluorescently tagged-protein of interest is transiently expressed in plant tissue following biolistic delivery of its encoding DNA construct. The intra- and intercellular distribution of the tagged protein is then analyzed by confocal microscopy. We describe this technology in detail, providing step-by-step protocols to assay and evaluate the extent of symplastic protein transport in three plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum (tobacco).

A Cell-to-cell Macromolecular Transport Assay in Planta Utilizing Biolistic Bombardment

Macromolecular trafficking between plant cells can be assessed by transiently expressing a fluorescently-tagged protein of interest and analyzing its intra- and intercellular distribution by confocal microscopy.

Here, we present a simple and rapid protocol to detect and assess the extent of cell-to-cell macromolecular transport in planta. In this protocol, a ...

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay for Tissue-specific Genes using Early-stage Mouse Embryos

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a powerful tool to identify protein:chromatin interactions that occur in the context of living cells 1-3. This technique has been widely exploited in tissue culture cells, and to a lesser extent, in primary tissue. The application of ChIP to rodent embryonic tissue, especially at early times of development, is complicated by the limited amount of tissue and the heterogeneity of cell and tissue types in the embryo. Here we present a method to perform ChIP using a dissociated embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) embryo. Sheared chromatin from a single E8.5 embryo can be divided into up to five aliquots, which allows the investigator sufficient material for controls and for investigation of specific protein:chromatin interactions.
We have utilized this technique to begin to document protein:chromatin interactions during the specification of tissue-specific gene expression programs. The heterogeneity of cell types in an embryo necessarily restricts the application of this technique because the result is the detection of protein:chromatin interactions without distinguishing whether the interactions occur in all, a subset of, or a single cell type(s). However, examination of tissue-specific genes during or following the onset of tissue-specific gene expression is feasible for two reasons. First, immunoprecipitation of tissue specific factors necessarily isolates chromatin from the cell type where the factor is expressed. Second, immunoprecipitation of coactivators and histones containing post-translational modifications that are associated with gene activation should only be found at genes and gene regulatory sequences in the cell type where the gene is being or has been activated. The technique should be applicable to the study of most tissue-specific gene activation events.
In the example described below, we utilized E8.5 and E9.5 mouse embryos to examine factor binding at a skeletal muscle specific gene promoter. Somites, which are the precursor tissues from which the skeletal muscles of the trunk and limbs will form, are present at E8.5-9.54,5. Myogenin is a regulatory factor required for skeletal muscle differentiation 6-9. The data demonstrate that myogenin is associated with its own promoter in E8.5 and E9.5 embryos. Because myogenin is only expressed in somites at this stage of development 6,10, the data indicate that myogenin interactions with its own promoter have already occurred in skeletal muscle precursor cells in E8.5 embryos.

We demonstrate a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) method to identify factor interactions at tissue-specific genes during or after the onset of tissue-specific gene expression in mouse embryonic tissue. This protocol should be widely applicable for the study of tissue-specific gene activation as it occurs during normal embryonic development.

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a powerful tool to identify protein:chromatin interactions that occur in the context of living cells 1-3. This ...

Chromatin Interaction Analysis with Paired-End Tag Sequencing (ChIA-PET) for Mapping Chromatin Interactions and Understanding Transcription Regulation

Genomes are organized into three-dimensional structures, adopting higher-order conformations inside the micron-sized nuclear spaces 7, 2, 12. Such architectures are not random and involve interactions between gene promoters and regulatory elements 13. The binding of transcription factors to specific regulatory sequences brings about a network of transcription regulation and coordination 1, 14. 
Chromatin Interaction Analysis by Paired-End Tag Sequencing (ChIA-PET) was developed to identify these higher-order chromatin structures 5,6. Cells are fixed and interacting loci are captured by covalent DNA-protein cross-links. To minimize non-specific noise and reduce complexity, as well as to increase the specificity of the chromatin interaction analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is used against specific protein factors to enrich chromatin fragments of interest before proximity ligation. Ligation involving half-linkers subsequently forms covalent links between pairs of DNA fragments tethered together within individual chromatin complexes. The flanking MmeI restriction enzyme sites in the half-linkers allow extraction of paired end tag-linker-tag constructs (PETs) upon MmeI digestion. As the half-linkers are biotinylated, these PET constructs are purified using streptavidin-magnetic beads. The purified PETs are ligated with next-generation sequencing adaptors and a catalog of interacting fragments is generated via next-generation sequencers such as the Illumina Genome Analyzer. Mapping and bioinformatics analysis is then performed to identify ChIP-enriched binding sites and ChIP-enriched chromatin interactions 8. 
We have produced a video to demonstrate critical aspects of the ChIA-PET protocol, especially the preparation of ChIP as the quality of ChIP plays a major role in the outcome of a ChIA-PET library. As the protocols are very long, only the critical steps are shown in the video.

Chromatin Interaction Analysis with Paired-End Tag Sequencing ChIA-PET for Mapping Chromatin Interactions and Understanding Transcription Regulation

Chromatin Interaction Analysis by Paired-End Tag Sequencing (ChIA-PET) is a method for de novo detection of chromatin interactions, for better understanding of transcriptional control.

Genomes are organized into three-dimensional structures, adopting higher-order conformations inside the micron-sized nuclear spaces 7, 2, 12. Such ...

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro

The 3&#8217; end of mammalian mRNAs is not formed by abrupt termination of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNPII). Instead, RNPII synthesizes precursor mRNA beyond the end of mature RNAs, and an active process of endonuclease activity is required at a specific site. Cleavage of the precursor RNA normally occurs 10-30 nt downstream from the consensus polyA site (AAUAAA) after the CA dinucleotides. Proteins from the cleavage complex, a multifactorial protein complex of approximately 800 kDa, accomplish this specific nuclease activity. Specific RNA sequences upstream and downstream of the polyA site control the recruitment of the cleavage complex. Immediately after cleavage, pre-mRNAs are polyadenylated by the polyA polymerase (PAP) to produce mature stable RNA messages.
Processing of the 3&#8217; end of an RNA transcript may be studied using cellular nuclear extracts with specific radiolabeled RNA substrates. In sum, a long 32P-labeled uncleaved precursor RNA is incubated with nuclear extracts in vitro, and cleavage is assessed by gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. When proper cleavage occurs, a shorter 5&#8217; cleaved product is detected and quantified. Here, we describe the cleavage assay in detail using, as an example, the 3&#8217; end processing of HIV-1 mRNAs.

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3&#039; End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro

RNA polymerase II synthesizes a precursor RNA that extends beyond the 3' end of the mature mRNA. The end of the mature RNA is generated cotranscriptionally, at a site dictated by RNA sequences, via the endonuclease activity of the cleavage complex. Here, we detail the method to study cleavage reactions in vitro.

The 3&#8217; end of mammalian mRNAs is not formed by abrupt termination of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNPII). Instead, RNPII synthesizes ...

In vitro Methylation Assay to Study Protein Arginine Methylation

Protein arginine methylation is one of the most abundant post-translational modifications in the nucleus. Protein arginine methylation can be identified and/or determined via proteomic approaches, and/or immunoblotting with methyl-arginine specific antibodies. However, these techniques sometimes can be misleading and often provide false positive results. Most importantly, these techniques cannot provide direct evidence in support of the PRMT substrate specificity. In vitro methylation assays, on the other hand, are useful biochemical assays, which are sensitive, and consistently reveal if the identified proteins are indeed PRMT substrates. A typical in vitro methylation assay includes purified, active PRMTs, purified substrate and a radioisotope labeled methyl donor (S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H] methionine). Here we describe a step-by-step protocol to isolate catalytically active PRMT1, a ubiquitously expressed PRMT family member. The methyl transferase activities of the purified PRMT1 were later tested on Ras-GTPase activating protein binding protein 1 (G3BP1), a known PRMT substrate, in the presence of S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H] methionine as the methyl donor. This protocol can be employed not only for establishing the methylation status of novel physiological PRMT1 substrates, but also for understanding the basic mechanism of protein arginine methylation.

In vitro Methylation Assay to Study Protein Arginine Methylation

Protein arginine methylation, catalyzed by a class of enzymes viz., protein arginine methyl transferases (PRMTs), is the process of enzymatic addition of methyl group(s) to arginines within proteins. The in vitro methylation assay is the most dependable tool for assessing the methylation status of known or novel PRMT substrates.

Protein arginine methylation is one of the most abundant post-translational modifications in the nucleus. Protein arginine methylation can be identified ...

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

Centrosomes are small but important organelles that serve as the poles of mitotic spindle to maintain genomic integrity or assemble primary cilia to facilitate sensory functions in cells. The level of a protein may be regulated differently at centrosomes than at other .cellular locations, and the variation in the centrosomal level of several proteins at different points of the cell cycle appears to be crucial for the proper regulation of centriole assembly. We developed a quantitative fluorescence microscopy assay that measures relative changes in the level of a protein at centrosomes in fixed cells from different samples, such as at different phases of the cell cycle or after treatment with various reagents. The principle of this assay lies in measuring the background corrected fluorescent intensity corresponding to a protein at a small region, and normalize that measurement against the same for another protein that does not vary under the chosen experimental condition. Utilizing this assay in combination with BrdU pulse and chase strategy to study unperturbed cell cycles, we have quantitatively validated our recent observation that the centrosomal pool of VDAC3 is regulated at centrosomes during the cell cycle, likely by proteasome-mediated degradation specifically at centrosomes.

Here, a novel quantitative fluorescence assay is developed to measure changes in the level of a protein specifically at centrosomes by normalizing that protein&#8217;s fluorescence intensity to that of an appropriate internal standard.

Centrosomes are small but important organelles that serve as the poles of mitotic spindle to maintain genomic integrity or assemble primary cilia to ...

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay for the Identification of Arabidopsis Protein-DNA Interactions In Vivo

Intricate gene regulatory networks orchestrate biological processes and developmental transitions in plants. Selective transcriptional activation and silencing of genes mediate the response of plants to environmental signals and developmental cues. Therefore, insights into the mechanisms that control plant gene expression are essential to gain a deep understanding of how biological processes are regulated in plants. The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) technique described here is a procedure to identify the DNA-binding sites of proteins in genes or genomic regions of the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. The interactions with DNA of proteins of interest such as transcription factors, chromatin proteins or posttranslationally modified versions of histones can be efficiently analyzed with the ChIP protocol. This method is based on the fixation of protein-DNA interactions in vivo, random fragmentation of chromatin, immunoprecipitation of protein-DNA complexes with specific antibodies, and quantification of the DNA associated with the protein of interest by PCR techniques. The use of this methodology in Arabidopsis has contributed significantly to unveil transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that control a variety of plant biological processes. This approach allowed the identification of the binding sites of the Arabidopsis chromatin protein EBS to regulatory regions of the master gene of flowering FT. The impact of this protein in the accumulation of particular histone marks in the genomic region of FT was also revealed through ChIP analysis.

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay for the Identification of Arabidopsis Protein-DNA Interactions In Vivo

Chromatin immunoprecipitation is a powerful technique for the identification of DNA binding sites of Arabidopsis proteins in vivo. This procedure includes chromatin cross-linking and fragmentation, immunoprecipitation with selective antibodies against the protein of interest, and qPCR analysis of bound DNA. We describe a simple ChIP assay optimized for Arabidopsis plants.

Intricate gene regulatory networks orchestrate biological processes and developmental transitions in plants. Selective transcriptional activation and ...